THERE will be an added motivation for the clubs competing in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference as the champion will represent the Philippines in the AVC Champions League next year in Seoul, South Korea.

This was announced yesterday as the highly-anticipated season-opening conference is set to span six months, promising action-packed matches and fierce competition as teams vie for supremacy on the court.

The All-Filipino winner will have the opportunity to bring two foreign players, with all expenses funded by the PVL.

“The PVL is committed to fully supporting our representative club in the AVC Champions League,” said PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara, urging teams to leverage this opportunity to shine on the international stage.

The season opener is scheduled on Saturday at the Philsports Arena, with fans eager to witness the first serve of what is expected to be one of the most balanced and unpredictable seasons yet.

As the reigning ‘Grand Slam’ titleholder, Creamline enters the new season as the team to beat.

With their roster mostly intact, the Cool Smashers are expected to continue setting the bar high.

However, several teams have made significant roster changes, aiming to close the gap and mount a formidable challenge.

“With the depth of talent in the league, fans can look forward to a truly competitive conference,” said PVL President Ricky Palou. “This season, we’ve seen teams making strategic moves to enhance their rosters, which should make for some exciting matchups and surprises along the way.”

Continuity has been the mantra for teams like Cignal, PetroGazz, Choco Mucho, PLDT, and Akari, while Chery Tiggo is navigating a transition period.

Capital1, Nxled, Zus Coffee, Galeries Tower and Farm Fresh are all set to make their mark and leave a lasting impression.

The season will kick off with a thrilling main game at 6:30 p.m., featuring last All-Filipino Conference finalist Choco Mucho looking to turn the page on a challenging season against a resilient PetroGazz side.

Akari will take on Galeries Tower at 4 p.m., with both teams eager to make a strong statement as they pursue championship aspirations.

Following the single round-robin preliminaries, teams will be ranked from 1 to 12 according to the FIVB Classification system.

The qualifying round will pair teams based on their final rankings, leading to a dynamic playoff structure where only the best will advance.

“The alignment of our schedule with the international FIVB calendar is an exciting development for Philippine volleyball,” said PVL Control Committee Chairman Sherwin Malonzo. “This synchronization not only elevates the standard of our league but also brings more excitement to our fans.”

The league also organized a technical workshop for referees, coaches, and players, aiming to standardize knowledge and improve the game experience.

“This workshop is designed to empower all participants with a thorough understanding of the latest rules and techniques. We’re thrilled to have the support of the PNVF in bringing PVL to new heights,” said Palou.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado